Meniscus

BOSTON -- I am suffering from what is referred to in the unmedical annals as Middle-Aged Jock Syndrome.This is a syndrome which begins at that precise moment in life when all the advice that we have hitherto followed to remain hale and hearty, fit and firm, aerobic and athletic goes belly up on us. Or back up. Or leg up. Or, in my case, knee up.Suddenly, body parts we never knew existed and cannot spell begin to rip, tear, inflame and disintegrate....

If the Ravens are going to win the AFC North and clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs, they'll have to do it without veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Boldin, who leads the team in receiving yards and is second to running back Ray Rice in receptions, had surgery Thursday to repair a “slight” meniscus tear in his knee and he'll miss at least the final two games of the regular season. “It flapped up on him, I think it was Tuesday night after the walk-through,” said Ravens coach John Harbaugh.

SAN ANTONIO -- Millions of Americans have undergone surgery to remove a torn meniscus cartilage in the knee, one of the most common injuries in sports. The long-term result of such surgery is often painful, degenerative arthritis in the knee.Now, clinical trials are beginning at a dozen sites across the country to study a new procedure designed to help the torn meniscus re-grow. The new method uses a crescent-shaped implant made of animal collagen, the connective tissue found in skin, cartilage and bone.

Even though Pikesville senior Sasha Smallwood has spent most of her high school career winning pole vault competitions, her victory Thursday night is one she'll never forget. Smallwood won her fourth consecutive Class 1A state title despite vaulting on a torn meniscus in her left knee that will require surgery in the coming days. The senior's vault of 11 feet at Morgan State ended her career in a manner that left Smallwood stunned. "I am amazingly surprised," Smallwood said as she left to go to her senior prom.

Opponent: Philadelphia FlyersWhere: USAir Arena, LandoverTime: 7:30TV/Radio: HTS/WTEM (570 AM)Outlook: The Capitals (3-6) have won two of their past three but come into tonight's game after losing, 1-0, in a goaltending duel in Colorado. During the just-completed road trip, the Caps lost C Michal Pivonka for four to six weeks with a lateral meniscus cartilage tear and a bad bone bruise. The Flyers (5-6) are without injured Eric Lindros and come in off Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers.

If the Orioles have any concerns about the condition of Magglio Ordonez's left knee, the outfielder's agent wants to alleviate them. Agent Scott Boras said Ordonez is working out daily in Venezuela and Miami as part of his rehab from a second surgery two months ago to repair a torn meniscus. The Orioles appear to have serious interest in the free agent, and Boras is happy to flash the green light for future negotiations. "One thing Baltimore always has going for it is players have a favorable impression of it as a place to play and a great ballpark to play in," Boras said.

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, who avoided a possible prison sentence by pleading no contest to simple assault and simple battery after an incident stemming from the alleged theft of two of his all-terrain vehicles, was fined a total of four game checks yesterday by the NFL. While the fine will cost Taylor an estimated $71,764, he was not suspended by the league despite the fact that he initially faced a felony gun charge....

When the day arrives for the Naval Academy's spring football game, quarterback Brian Madden will be ready to bail out and head home to Lawton, Okla. "I think I'll call my parents and have them fly me home," said the upcoming senior, who was elected co-captain of next fall's squad. "I've had nothing but bad luck that day." On one of the final plays of the spring game last April, Madden injured his right knee, forcing reconstructive surgery of the meniscus cartilage and anterior cruciate ligament.

For South Carroll volleyball standout Melissa Axtell, the routine this season was always pretty much the same. Ice the throbbing left knee for 20 minutes before playing, then ice it again immediately after. Despite playing the entire season with a knee injury that last week culminated in her second surgery in as many years, the 6-foot-1 senior dominated like few others in the metro area, averaging a county-best four kills and 1.2 blocks per game to lead her team to an 11-6 mark and a trip to the Class 2A West finals.

Do Keebler elves ever suffer anxiety attacks?In a matter of a few weeks, it will be that season. Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against the winter holidays.There are worse things than exchanging gifts, roasting chestnuts and listening to Gene Autry sing about reindeer games. Spending time with friends and family can be a genuinely enriching experience (unless, of course, they're your family or your friends).I like pine, candles and boughs of holly about as well as the next guy. Some people find shopping to be an ordeal, but I never have.

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, who avoided a possible prison sentence by pleading no contest to simple assault and simple battery after an incident stemming from the alleged theft of two of his all-terrain vehicles, was fined a total of four game checks yesterday by the NFL. While the fine will cost Taylor an estimated $71,764, he was not suspended by the league despite the fact that he initially faced a felony gun charge....

For South Carroll volleyball standout Melissa Axtell, the routine this season was always pretty much the same. Ice the throbbing left knee for 20 minutes before playing, then ice it again immediately after. Despite playing the entire season with a knee injury that last week culminated in her second surgery in as many years, the 6-foot-1 senior dominated like few others in the metro area, averaging a county-best four kills and 1.2 blocks per game to lead her team to an 11-6 mark and a trip to the Class 2A West finals.

Vitali Klitschko will undergo arthroscopic surgery this week to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, then will have 90 days to reschedule his World Boxing Council heavyweight title fight against Hasim Rahman. Klitschko said he suffered the knee injury while sparring Thursday in Los Angeles, then called off Saturday's scheduled bout in Las Vegas with Rahman - the fourth time the Ukrainian has pulled out of a match against Rahman, a Baltimore native. Klitschko's previous injuries - to his fists, thigh and back - forced the postponements of scheduled bouts against Rahman on April 30, June 18 and July 23. Klitschko (35-2, 34 knockouts)

If the Orioles have any concerns about the condition of Magglio Ordonez's left knee, the outfielder's agent wants to alleviate them. Agent Scott Boras said Ordonez is working out daily in Venezuela and Miami as part of his rehab from a second surgery two months ago to repair a torn meniscus. The Orioles appear to have serious interest in the free agent, and Boras is happy to flash the green light for future negotiations. "One thing Baltimore always has going for it is players have a favorable impression of it as a place to play and a great ballpark to play in," Boras said.

When the day arrives for the Naval Academy's spring football game, quarterback Brian Madden will be ready to bail out and head home to Lawton, Okla. "I think I'll call my parents and have them fly me home," said the upcoming senior, who was elected co-captain of next fall's squad. "I've had nothing but bad luck that day." On one of the final plays of the spring game last April, Madden injured his right knee, forcing reconstructive surgery of the meniscus cartilage and anterior cruciate ligament.

Jacqueline Pundt knows what it means to play with pain. She does it every day. Despite a torn meniscus in her left knee, Western Tech's 6-foot senior center is still in the game. The only true post player in the Wolverines' lineup, Pundt always draws double or triple teams and still averages 15.8 points, 15.9 rebounds and 4.5 blocks a game. Friday night, she recorded her 1,000th career point after scoring 24 in a 48-40 double-overtime victory against Dundalk. She has now scored 1,017 points to go with 1,158 rebounds.

Vitali Klitschko will undergo arthroscopic surgery this week to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, then will have 90 days to reschedule his World Boxing Council heavyweight title fight against Hasim Rahman. Klitschko said he suffered the knee injury while sparring Thursday in Los Angeles, then called off Saturday's scheduled bout in Las Vegas with Rahman - the fourth time the Ukrainian has pulled out of a match against Rahman, a Baltimore native. Klitschko's previous injuries - to his fists, thigh and back - forced the postponements of scheduled bouts against Rahman on April 30, June 18 and July 23. Klitschko (35-2, 34 knockouts)

If the Ravens are going to win the AFC North and clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs, they'll have to do it without veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Boldin, who leads the team in receiving yards and is second to running back Ray Rice in receptions, had surgery Thursday to repair a “slight” meniscus tear in his knee and he'll miss at least the final two games of the regular season. “It flapped up on him, I think it was Tuesday night after the walk-through,” said Ravens coach John Harbaugh.

SAN ANTONIO -- Millions of Americans have undergone surgery to remove a torn meniscus cartilage in the knee, one of the most common injuries in sports. The long-term result of such surgery is often painful, degenerative arthritis in the knee.Now, clinical trials are beginning at a dozen sites across the country to study a new procedure designed to help the torn meniscus re-grow. The new method uses a crescent-shaped implant made of animal collagen, the connective tissue found in skin, cartilage and bone.

BOSTON -- I am suffering from what is referred to in the unmedical annals as Middle-Aged Jock Syndrome.This is a syndrome which begins at that precise moment in life when all the advice that we have hitherto followed to remain hale and hearty, fit and firm, aerobic and athletic goes belly up on us. Or back up. Or leg up. Or, in my case, knee up.Suddenly, body parts we never knew existed and cannot spell begin to rip, tear, inflame and disintegrate....